Exploratorium

April 25, 2013 7:17 AM

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July 3, 1969: San Francisco supervisor Jack Ertola with Exploratorium founder Frank Oppenheimer, looking over plans in the vast empty space near the Palace of Fine Arts. I\'m guessing that trailer behind them was filled with Christmas tree lights and bubble solution. less

July 3, 1969: San Francisco supervisor Jack Ertola with Exploratorium founder Frank Oppenheimer, looking over plans in the vast empty space near the Palace of Fine Arts. I\'m guessing that trailer behind them ... more

A 1969 Chronicle article about the Exploratorium. There was minimal coverage in the newspaper, and the writers (outside of science correspondent David Perlman) didn\'t seem to know what to make of it. From the beginning, the museum was a hard place to describe in a sentence or two. less

A 1969 Chronicle article about the Exploratorium. There was minimal coverage in the newspaper, and the writers (outside of science correspondent David Perlman) didn\'t seem to know what to make of it. From the ... more

A 1969 Chronicle article about the Exploratorium. There was minimal... Photo-4526395.61052 - GreenwichTime

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Nov. 14, 1973: An early ride on the Momentum Machine. (I recall a garbage can nearby for vomit.) Note the simplicity of all the early exhibits, and the industrial feel of the warehouse. Even when the Exploratorium was a year it two old, it felt like it had been around for decades. less

Nov. 14, 1973: An early ride on the Momentum Machine. (I recall a garbage can nearby for vomit.) Note the simplicity of all the early exhibits, and the industrial feel of the warehouse. Even when the ... more

Jan. 18, 1977: One of my favorite Exploratorium exhibits -- it was loaned to museums in other countries, according to the Chronicle articles. The exhibits were effective but inexpensively made -- many created from household goods such as vacuum cleaner tubes and spare lumber. less

Jan. 18, 1977: One of my favorite Exploratorium exhibits -- it was loaned to museums in other countries, according to the Chronicle articles. The exhibits were effective but inexpensively made -- many created ... more

Jan. 18, 1977: This gallery was made possible by Chronicle photographer Clem Albers, who made the extra effort to shoot several of the individual exhibits. I remember this Exploratorium drum vividly. (We\'ll take a closer to check out those guys in the back.) less

Jan. 18, 1977: This gallery was made possible by Chronicle photographer Clem Albers, who made the extra effort to shoot several of the individual exhibits. I remember this Exploratorium drum vividly. (We\'ll ... more

Photo: Clem Albers, The Chronicle

Jan. 18, 1977: This gallery was made possible by Chronicle... Photo-4526399.61052 - GreenwichTime

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Jan. 18, 1977: I used to think I imagined most of the 1970s, until I started looking through the Chronicle archives. I would still wear that jacket second from the left ...

Jan. 18, 1977: I used to think I imagined most of the 1970s, until I started looking through the Chronicle archives. I would still wear that jacket second from the left ...

Photo: Clem Albers, The Chronicle

Jan. 18, 1977: I used to think I imagined most of the 1970s, until... Photo-4526400.61052 - GreenwichTime

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June 21, 1977: Presidential daughter Amy Carter at the Exploratorium during a visit to SF. Her review of the Tactile dome: \"I liked that. Gee. I liked that.\" Carter also went to the Aquarium and Fisherman\'s Wharf. Judging by the photos, her Secret Service dressed like Greg Brady. less

June 21, 1977: Presidential daughter Amy Carter at the Exploratorium during a visit to SF. Her review of the Tactile dome: \"I liked that. Gee. I liked that.\" Carter also went to the Aquarium and Fisherman\'s ... more

Jan. 18, 1977: A young girl looks at the enlarged head of an ant in an Exploratorium photo gallery. Judging by the Chronicle photos, this installation was appreciated equally by young kids and older ones, who got stoned in the parking lot under the camper shells of their Ford Rangers. less

Jan. 18, 1977: A young girl looks at the enlarged head of an ant in an Exploratorium photo gallery. Judging by the Chronicle photos, this installation was appreciated equally by young kids and older ones, who ... more

Jan. 18, 1977: A young girl looks at the enlarged head of an ant in... Photo-4526402.61052 - GreenwichTime

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Jan. 18, 1977: Oppenheimer again, teaching visitors young and old about some science. Note the Tactile Dome under construction in the background.

Jan. 18, 1977: Oppenheimer again, teaching visitors young and old about some science. Note the Tactile Dome under construction in the background.

Part of a 1978 Examiner article about the new Tactile Dome, which was created by August Coppola. (Nicolas Cage\'s dad.) From the article: \"Sex, at its best, should be a shared strength of sensitivity and a fantasy at skin level. You can\'t tickle yourself, you know.\" less

Part of a 1978 Examiner article about the new Tactile Dome, which was created by August Coppola. (Nicolas Cage\'s dad.) From the article: \"Sex, at its best, should be a shared strength of sensitivity and a ... more

Part of a 1978 Examiner article about the new Tactile Dome, which... Photo-4526404.61052 - GreenwichTime

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Jan. 18, 1977: I\'m not sure what fundamental of science this exhibit demonstrated, but the makers of the \"Hellraiser\" horror movie series owe a royalty. Note the sweet camera being toted around by the kid on the left. less

Jan. 18, 1977: I\'m not sure what fundamental of science this exhibit demonstrated, but the makers of the \"Hellraiser\" horror movie series owe a royalty. Note the sweet camera being toted around by the kid on ... more

Jan. 18, 1977: The Light Tree! Local TV news reporters that covered the Exploratorium always featured this exhibit, which responded to noise. I remember it on \"Evening Magazine\" at least once. Vertical photos look pretty horrible in these galleries so I included a larger version below. less

Jan. 18, 1977: The Light Tree! Local TV news reporters that covered the Exploratorium always featured this exhibit, which responded to noise. I remember it on \"Evening Magazine\" at least once. Vertical photos ... more

Jan. 18, 1977: I\'ve always said, if you walk out of the Exploratorium with your original hairdo intact, then you\'re not doing it right. This is from a construction cone and a blower that were modified into a makeshift wind tunnel. less

Jan. 18, 1977: I\'ve always said, if you walk out of the Exploratorium with your original hairdo intact, then you\'re not doing it right. This is from a construction cone and a blower that were modified into a ... more

1987: I screwed around with this giant bubble hoop ion the 1980s as well. This and the cow eyeball dissection were two of the more memorable exhibits at the Exploratorium. The Nike shirt dude on the left is representative of the end of the short shorts era for men. less

1987: I screwed around with this giant bubble hoop ion the 1980s as well. This and the cow eyeball dissection were two of the more memorable exhibits at the Exploratorium. The Nike shirt dude on the left is ... more

1987: I screwed around with this giant bubble hoop ion the 1980s as... Photo-4526408.61052 - GreenwichTime

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July 10, 1970: Frank Oppenheimer (note the cigarette ... 1970s!) was the brother of J. Robert Oppenheimer. But he spent most of his career as an educator -- and the Exploratorium was his greatest passion. \"No one ever flunked in museum,\" he told the Chronicle. RIP Frank Oppenheimer. less

July 10, 1970: Frank Oppenheimer (note the cigarette ... 1970s!) was the brother of J. Robert Oppenheimer. But he spent most of his career as an educator -- and the Exploratorium was his greatest passion. \"No ... more

A 1969 article from the San Francisco Chronicle about plans for the Exploratorium. David Perlman wrote the best early Chronicle stories about the Exploratorium. Perlman, now in his 90s, is still a Chronicle science writer. less

A 1969 article from the San Francisco Chronicle about plans for the Exploratorium. David Perlman wrote the best early Chronicle stories about the Exploratorium. Perlman, now in his 90s, is still a Chronicle ... more

A 1969 article from the San Francisco Chronicle about plans for the... Photo-4526409.61052 - GreenwichTime